Common Loon Migraton Update: February 27, 1997

Welcome to an exciting season of tracking loon migration. Well...at least we assume they'll migrate! Wouldn't we be surprised if the loons decided not to bother this year? Their wintering grounds on the coast certainly sound nice. Why do loons migrate, anyway?

Why Migrate?
By studying any animal's life cycle closely, you can form theories about the causes of migration. You can even predict when migration will occur. Over the next weeks, work as a detective. Carefully explore what loons need to stay alive--or to reproduce so the species lives on--and see if you can discover how their migration relates to survival. Here is your first challenge:

Challenge Question # 1
"When do you predict loons will migrate? Why do you think so?"

To respond to this Challenge Question please follow the instructions at the end of this report.

Dr. F.G Irwin

Before their migration begins, it's time to sharpen your observation skills. Although they're called Common Loons, they are not commonly seen by most people. Therefore, we have two challenging Challenge Questions that should help you recognize a loon when you see one. You'll need a Field Guide to North American Birds. At first glance, many birds may appear the same. Look more closely and read the information carefully. To identify a bird correctly you must consider such things as its: size, shape, colors, markings, vocalization, the bird's location and even its behavior! Are you ready for the first question? Look closely at the face of the loon pictured above.

Challenge Question #2
"At what time of year was this picture taken, and how do you know?"

There are 2 clues in the picture; can you name them both? To respond to this Challenge Question please follow the instructions at the end of this report.

Watch Out for Loon Look-a-Likes!
The following loon sighting was reported recently. Several bird species can be confused with loons. Read the observer's comment for clues. Then see if you can answer this question:

Challenge Question #3
"What kind of bird do you think the observer saw? How do you know it's not a loon?"

"About 10 common loons were sighted. Two were fishing and the others were on poles. Little River is a small fishing village on the inland waterway just south of the North Carolina border."

To respond to this Challenge Question please follow the instructions at the end of this report.

Special thanks to the Loon Watch program and the North American Loon Fund for all the help they provided as we prepared for the season. These conservation organizations work with loon specialists across North America. Here is our first field report from one of them:

Field Report From the Wintering Grounds
Meet Lucy Vliestra, our first loon expert of the season. Lucy is a graduate student from the State University of New York in Syracuse. She is studying Common Loons that overwinter in Apalachicola Bay, Florida (29.60 N, -85.00 W). We asked if she's seen any signs that loons are preparing to migrate.

"Yes!, she said. "In just the last couple of days their breeding plumage has begun to appear! Their facial feathers are coming first. The loons here have been flightless since late January because they were molting."

For birds, molting is like changing clothes. Old feathers are shed and new ones grow back to replace them. With their long migration ahead, loons prepare by growing a set of strong, new feathers. Here Lucy describes more about her work, and the preparations for migration she'll be observing:

"Many hundreds of loons spend the winter here; nearly all of them are Common Loons, but Red-throated Loons are occasional visitors. Compared to our knowledge of loons in summer, wintering loons are somewhat of a mystery. Researchers are not entirely sure where loons from certain breeding areas go in winter, or what habitat and food they prefer once they are there.

"To begin answering these questions, I am conducting basic research on what loons do during the day, what areas of the bay they prefer, and most importantly, why they prefer those things. From the shores, I observe, count, and record the location of loons throughout Apalochicola Bay. I also learn about the water and fish by reading and talking to people who study them a the local research station. Eventually, I'll see if there is a pattern linking loon behavior and survival with fish behavior and/or water characteristics.

"I will be here until the loons begin migrating back to their breeding grounds. I also plan to document loons' behavior as they prepare for this journey. I hope that this information will help us to better understand the pressures loons face in winter, so that we can better preserves loons throughout their range, year-round."

Julie Brophy

Julie Brophy

In what other ways can Lucy tell when the loons are preparing to migrate? She conducts observations called "instantaneous samples" of behavior. They're like taking a picture of behavior at a moment in time. As she watches groups of loons she records the activities of each individual. Over time, she can compare her results and measure how activity changes as the migration approaches. Here's how she records the way loons spend their time:

• % foraging
• % drifting
• % preening
• % sleeping
• % locomoting (traveling over water)

Try This!
Conduct an "instantaneous sample" of student behavior at your school--in the lunchroom, library, hallways or outdoors. How many different kinds of activities can you observe? What percentage of students are engaged in each activity? Do the percentages change over time? Predict what you think you will find, then compare your predictions to your results. In what ways is it difficult to conduct "instantaneous samples"? Discuss.

How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:
Please do not answer both questions in one message!

How to Respond to Journey North Loon Challenge Question # 1

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-loon@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 1
3. In the body of the message, give your answer to this question:

Challenge Question # 1
"When do you predict loons will migrate? Why do you think so?"

How to Respond to Journey North Loon Challenge Question # 2

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-loon@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 2
3. In the body of the message, give your answer to this question:

Challenge Question #2
"At what time of year was this picture taken, and how do you know?"

How to Respond to Journey North Loon Challenge Question # 3

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-loon@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 3
3. In the body of the message, give your answer to this question:

Challenge Question #3
"What kind of bird do you think the observer saw? How do you know it's not a loon?"

Don't Forget!
Please include the name of your school and your location so we can credit you properly for your answers.

The Next Loon Migration Update Will be Posted on March 13, 1997.